Protection Coordinator

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home. SCOPE OF WORK: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) began working in Lebanon in 2012, following two emergency assessments focused on gender-based violence (GBV) and livelihoods. Based on these assessments, which found significant gaps in GBV and economic recovery assistance to Syrian refugees in Lebanon, IRC initiated two emergency interventions focused on psycho-social support to women and girls and unconditional cash assistance to female-headed households. In the process of implementing these programs in the North and Bekaa, IRC has observed numerous protection risks to the refugee population, including unsafe shelters, insufficient medical services, and financial insecurity. In parallel to delivering concrete humanitarian aid, IRC believes greater attention should be directed toward exposing these and other protection risks confronting refugees across Lebanon, as well as providing refugees with enhanced information about available services.  In partnership with the UNHCR, the IRC is implementing a protection program featuring four components: protection monitoring, information sharing, referral and legal services. The IRC also anticipates introducing a capacity building project to the protection portfolio; working with selected local organizations to build capacity around protection mainstreaming and protection monitoring. Geographically, the protection program is implemented in the North governorate, Mount Lebanon governorate and the South and Nabatiye governorates. The Protection Coordinator will be responsible for the development and implementation of protection programming in all locations. They will lead the design of protection monitoring methodology, M&E systems, training materials for protection and information project staff, and Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) regarding the sharing of data with the UNHCR and other actors. The Protection Coordinator will ensure the quality of protection data collection and analysis and ensure that succinct and accurate protection reports are submitted to UNHCR and utilized to inform programming and advocacy both internally and externally. The Protection Coordinator will also be responsible for maintaining the IRC’s presence and leadership role in the Protection sector in Beirut and wider Lebanon by attending relevant working group meetings, networking with state and NGO actors in the protection sector and identifying potential partners for future programming. The Protection Coordinator will directly supervise three Protection and Information Managers, one Protection Training Manager, one ICT4P Officer as well as provide program and technical oversight across project sites. The Protection Coordinator will work extensively with other sectors, to ensure that protection principles are being incorporated into the Lebanon sector programs, and in particular with the Women’s Protection and Empowerment Coordinator, the Child Youth and Protection Development Coordinator and the Economic Recovery and Development Coordinator to strengthen the integrated nature of IRC’s protection and assistance programs in Lebanon.  The Protection Coordinator will be based in Beirut. S/he reports to the Deputy Director of Programs. RESPONSIBILITIES: Program management Provide strategic direction and vision to the IRC’s Protection programming in Lebanon, with an emphasis on maintaining program quality during a period of expansion. Ensure that all interventions are in compliance with the IRC’s protection mainstreaming framework, international law and protection standards and national policies. Oversee implementation of the Protection Monitoring and Information Dissemination program through managing project work plans and budgets (budget forecasting, development of spending plans and budget follow-up), ensuring timely recruitment, quality implementation and accurate reporting in accordance with IRC and donor regulations. Ensure that monitoring and evaluation systems are effectively designed and integrated into all stages of the project; that output and impact data are captured and that data is used to optimize program quality. Participate in cross-departmental collaboration and coordination in order to ensure that linkages between programs are made and programs gain from protection best practice; in particular with regular contact and coordination with Coordinators and Managers in WPE, CP, ERD, and Education. New business development Develop the Protection sector strategy for Lebanon in close collaboration with the Protection Managers, DDP/CD, other protection sector staff, and the Governance and Rights (Protection Team) Technical Unit Identify opportunities for, design and develop concept notes and proposals for further protection programming, including follow-on UNHCR funding for 2015, and other protection programming as requested Develop and/or input into protection assessments and protection reporting analysis for the purpose of program development Provide Protection input on proposals from other sectors to ensure protection is mainstreamed across IRC programming Representation, coordination and advocacy Coordinate with DDP/CD to forge connections with key government counterparts at the ministerial level, UN, I/NGOs, human rights actors, municipal and other sub-national government actors. Represent the IRC in high level and strategic meetings involving protection actors such as protection working group meetings, inter-agency coordination meetings, and bi-lateral meetings. Regularly coordinate with internal program and operational stakeholders, the Protection/Rule of Law Technical Advisors, Women’s Protection and Empowerment, Children’s Protection, Economic recovery and Development, Education and other IRC colleagues. In collaboration with the DDP/CD and regional advocacy team, ensure that the protection program delivers on advocacy goals as articulated in the country wide advocacy strategy. Human Resources Management and Development Supervision of three Protection and Information Managers and one Protection Training Manager Discuss job expectations, set objectives and provide appropriate and timely feedback regarding performance, including timely implementation of the annual staff performance management system. Clearly define the training needs of direct reports and ensure they are able to access training and professional development resources appropriate to their skill gaps/needs. Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions including staff development plans. Provide leadership support for the successful implementation of and adherence to the IRC Global HR Operating Policies and Procedures Lead with commitment, integrity and accountability to the “IRC Way” –  Global Standards for Professional Conduct REQUIREMENTS Advanced university degree in Law, Human Rights or a related field. 3-5 years experience implementing protection programming including experience in emergency or post-conflict project management Demonstrated experience using international human rights standards in protection programming Demonstrated experience implementing M&E programs Strong strategic thinking and proposal writing skills Strong leadership, staff and budget management and capacity building skills. Excellent communication skills, cultural sensitivity, flexibility, ability to improvise, team player. Ability to live and productively work under stress and in insecure and harsh environments while maintaining a sense of humor. DESIRED Experience implementing integrated programming which focuses on meeting the unique needs of children, women and girls is desired. Experience in implementing programming that utilizes ICT, including in the management and monitoring of SMS based systems. Regional experience and fluency in Arabic SPECIFIC SECURITY SITUATION/HOUSING The Protection Coordinator will be based in Beirut, Lebanon with travel throughout the country. The security situation in Lebanon continues to be stable. The candidate should be prepared to implement programming in remote and insecure environments. This is a non-accompanied position.